Effect of cathode position on Hall-effect thruster performance and near-field plume properties

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2008

Abstract

Thruster efficiency and plume properties, including ion energy distributions and beam current density profiles, of a Hall-effect thruster are compared when the cathode is placed in nine radial positions relative to the thruster and at three cathode mass flow rates. The cathode was mounted such that its orifice normal was at a right angle to the thruster axis. Plume properties were measured at a radius of 250 mm from the intersection of the thruster axis and the exit plane. Cathode coupling voltage, beam divergence, and voltage utilization are strongly affected by cathode position.

Publication Title

44th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit

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